Château de Dun-sur-Auron, Medieval castle in Dun-sur-Auron, France.
Château de Dun-sur-Auron is a medieval castle in France built with thick stone walls and featuring cylindrical towers capped with conical tile and lead roofs. The fortified structure contains multiple levels connected by stone passageways, with defensive features still visible throughout its layout.
King Philip II Augustus ordered the complete reconstruction of the castle in 1202 after acquiring the viscounty of Dun, adding new walls and towers to strengthen it as a royal fortress. Over later centuries, it transitioned from royal residence into a prison and courthouse before becoming a public museum.
The castle served as the heart of civic life, hosting judicial proceedings and administrative functions over the centuries. Visitors can still sense these different purposes reflected in how the rooms are arranged today.
The castle now operates as a museum offering guided tours that cover medieval history and architectural features. The building sits on a hill within walking distance of the town center, making it accessible to most visitors.
The castle's medieval Clock Gate, built in the 13th century, originally served as the main entrance to the town's second fortification and still stands today as a key architectural landmark. This gateway marks the boundary between the oldest and newer sections of the fortified town.
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